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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; After recent rainfall threatened to cancel Riverfest 2019, the weather fully cooperated Saturday afternoon.</p><p>A bright sunny sky, a crisp breeze and plenty of people were all that was needed to redeem the bleak outlook from earlier in the week.</p><p>&#8220;The weather was beautiful,&#8221; said John Maday, member of the Riverfront Parks Committee. &#8220;People are having a good time. Everything went as planned as possible. However, I still think people were cautious because of this week&#8217;s rainfall.&#8221;</p><p>The community event held every June at Nesbitt Park celebrated its 24th year, had plenty to offer. Attendees were able to partake in pony rides, a bounce house, yoga for kids which included a free yoga mat, fishprints, a 2-mile trek along the levy among many others.</p><p>Food vendors and live music accompanied the family-friendly atmosphere.</p><p>&#8220;Riverfest is not just one thing, everything continues to flow,&#8221; Maday noted. &#8220;Rivers flow through many communities like ours. Riverfest offers something unique to everyone just like the river is unique.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;It flows from event to event, thing to thing,&#8221; he added. &#8220;I love that river, but because of all the rain I wish it could have been better.&#8221;</p><p>Despite having to cancel paddling excursions and the Suskie Bassmasters Free Family Fishing Derby, Maday said the Dragon Boat races have been rescheduled for Aug. 17-18.</p><p>Maday said he heard a lot of positive feedback from people working at exhibits, saying Riverfest goers have really been interested on the host of topics offered.</p><p>&#8220;Riverfest is such a unique event,&#8221; said Dave Reyes, 27. &#8220;It&#8217;s really cool that there are people educating us (the public) about our local environment and our ecosystem.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;I like many are so happy the rain stopped and Riverfest wasn&#8217;t canceled,&#8221; the Hazleton native added. &#8220;My girlfriend introduced me to this event a few years back. We broke up awhile ago, but I kept coming back because I&#8217;ve had a lot of fun.&#8221;</p><p>A Bruce Springsteen cover band entertained goers.</p><p>&#8220;I love music from &#8216;The Boss&#8217; or anyone who plays his music,&#8221; said Marty Briar. &#8220;This is a fun time.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Sitting on a bench eating their lunch, two people gaze at the Susquehanna River on Saturday afternoon. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_River-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Sitting on a bench eating their lunch, two people gaze at the Susquehanna River on Saturday afternoon. </caption0><photoCredit0>Dan Stokes | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_tent-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Droves of people flock to the Enviornmental Tent to receive facts and tips about the local environment and ecosystems during Riverfest 2019 on Saturday afternoon. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_tent-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Droves of people flock to the Enviornmental Tent to receive facts and tips about the local environment and ecosystems during Riverfest 2019 on Saturday afternoon. </caption1><photoCredit1>Dan Stokes | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Dan Stokes</p><p>dstokes@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Under clear skies, Riverfest attendees and organizers praise event